Now in the latter stages of studying to be an EYP through the NDNA and Open University, our columnist Louise Masterson reflects on how the course is helping her to address children's behavioural issues in a more thoughtful, positive way
The Gateway Review is now firmly in the past and passed - which means that I go through to the next stage of the course. Having got this far, I have started to contemplate the progress I have personally made on this learning journey. This self-reflection was prompted by one professional who questioned how I could demonstrate that my practice has become more effective over time. I racked my brains for a good example - and then it came to me.
Before starting this course, there was a boy in one of my settings who was 14 months old and was forever throwing things and kicking things around the nursery. Staff were repeatedly asking him to stop, trying to explain that sooner or later somebody was going to get hurt. However, as a result of studying for this course, I recognised that this child was displaying a 'trajectory', a type of schema.
Once I realised this, I was in a position to deal with him better. I asked him not to kick the ball inside and, instead, we played games rolling it to each other. I also gathered together trains and cars and other toys that had a backward and forward motion and could gather momentum. When we were outside, we would play football, bounce the ball up high, and find other upwards and downwards motion games he loved.
Six months on, this child excels at nursery and I feel that my input, as a result of studying this course and then implementing what I learned, has really contributed to this. I recognised that it was important not to judge this child's behaviour as simply naughty. So, if asked whether I consider myself to be more effective in terms of children's learning and care, then the answer has to be 'yes' for this one example alone.
I expect that most people starting out in a new area find it hard to feel that they are making good progress. It is only by taking the time to reflect upon something we have done almost naturally within the course of our daily work, that we can identify what we know now, in comparison with what we knew when we began. Hopefully, that will be enough to continue to motivate us along the pathway, in our efforts to become recognised as Early Years Professionals.
Further information on the Early Years Professional course - see www.cwdcouncil.org.
